From Konstantiniyye to Istanbul

Photographs of the Bosphorus from the Mid-19th to the 20th Century

From Konstantiniyye to Istanbul at the National Gallery BiH / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

The photo exhibition titled 'From Konstantiniyye to Istanbul' opened in Sarajevo at the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The exhibition is created as the 'Turkey - Bosnia and Herzegovina Intercultural Art Dialogs' project with the cooperation of the Suna and Inan KÄ±raÃ§ Pera Museum, the Yunus Emre Institution and the IKASD, Istanbul Intercultural Art Dialogs Association and hosted by the National Gallery BiH.

The common culture based on hundreds of years old connections make the cooperation between Turkey and BiH grow stronger every day. Connecting the past and present, the exhibition prepared by young generation, reminds and shares this cultural treasure once again.

'From Konstantiniyye to Ä°stanbul â€“ Photographs of the Bosphorus from the Mid-19th to the 20th Century' is comprised of works by photography masters who practiced their art in Ä°stanbul from the mid-19th century onwards. The unique selection from The Suna and Inan KÄ±raÃ§ Foundation Photography Collection reveals the magnificent structures, the daily life and the intriguing personalities of a past Ä°stanbul.

Istanbul has evolved into an industrial city and an enormous metropolis: its silhouette, architecture, vehicles, bridges, quays, streets and public spaces have attained an entirely different appearance. Masters such as James Robertson, Maurice Meys, Pascal SÃ©bah, Polycarpe Joaillier, Abdullah Brothers, Guillaume Berggren and GÃ¼lmez Brothers, not only document the nostalgic images of the city during their time, but also took us along a pleasant journey around the Bosphorus.

Dr. M. Sinan Genim, the curator of the exhibition said: "Much like people, cultures also complete their life span and become part of history. We can produce a new culture and look to the future with confidence only if we learn to draw lessons from the accumulation of its predecessors. This is our city and it is our mission to carry it into the future. The future, of course, will once again belong to Istanbul."

Highlights from the Exhibition

Photo from the exhibition / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Pascal Sebah / Maiden's Tower, Galata and Findikli residential areas, 1870. Albumen paper, 265x201 mm / Suna and Inan Kirac Foundation Photography Collection / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

Pascal Sebah / Selamlik (Sultan's procession to a mosque on Fridays) at the OrtakÃ¶y Mosque, 1865-1870. Albumen paper, 323x248 mm / Suna and Inan Kirac Foundation Photography Collection / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

Pascal Sebah / Ox-drawn carriage on Yusa Hill, 1865. Albumen paper, 255x195 mm / Renan - M. Sinan Genim Collection / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

From the Opening of the Exhibition

From the opening of the exhibition. L-R: Strajo KrsmanoviÄ‡, Director of the National Gallery BiH; Cihad Erginay, Ambassador of Turkey in BiH; Dr. M. Sinan Genim, the Curator; the guests from the Cultural Center Yunus Emre and the Turkish government.